Reflections on life in the global village

Quote of the day: Michigan Judge Bernard A. Friedman

“In attempting to define this case as a challenge to ‘the will of the people,’ state defendants lost sight of what this case is truly about: people.”– From Judge Bernard A. Friedman’s opinion striking down Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban.

Reports the New York Times: “The case was brought by April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse, nurses who live together in a Detroit suburb and who each adopted children born with special needs and are raising them as one family. They originally sued in 2012 to overturn a state law that prevents them, as unmarried parties, from adopting their three children as a couple. They wanted to do so to protect their parental interests in the event one of them dies. They later expanded their suit to challenge Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage or even civil unions.”

Sadly, the state seems unclear on the judge’s concept, and has announced it will appeal Judge Friedman’s decision.

More happily, news reports are saying same-sex marriage licences are being issued, with at least one ceremony taking place today.